British National Pursuit Championship
Aug-2000
TRUE champions respond to a challenge, and Rob Hayles (Athletes 1-Pinarello) recovered from the shock of being caught by Paul Manning in the qualifying round to put the record straight as he clinched his fourth successive title with a personal best. Hayles was fully focused for the 16-lap final and, leading Manning (unattached) by half a second after the opening lap, he was never headed. Producing the fastest opening kilometre of the competition (109.160), he was over one and a half seconds up and his splits of 1-03.958, 1-04.725 and 1-05.851 brought him home in 4-23.704. Manning, who had qualified in 4-22.013 to take Graeme Obree's championship record, pulled back half a second in the closing four laps to finish in 4-26.097. "That was a great ride by Rob," said Manning. "He just stayed out there and didn't come back at all. I was concentrating on keeping on top of my schedule and couldn't lift it. "It's awesome for the team pursuit - we're all close together and riding quickly." The bronze went to Bradley Wiggins (SG Bollington), who followed up his opening kilometre (1-10.356) with even splits of 1-05.008, 1-05.491 and 1-04.861 to lower his qualifying time by almost two seconds to 4-25.716 for a four-second margin over Chris Newton (Middridge CRT). A number of riders made improvements, led by Michael Pooley (Musselburgh RCC), Tim Buckle (Paul Moy Associates) and Ben Elliott (VC St Raphael). 2nd round.- Group B Quarter-finals Minor placings 3/4 Final Bradley Wiggins (SG Bollington) 4-25.716 bt Chris Newton 4-29.761. 1/2 Final Rob Hayles (Athletes 1Pinarello) 4-23.704 bt Paul Manning (unatt) 4-26.097. |